Sunday, March 8, 2009

Go Kozma!!!

In support of our argument, we will start by offering a definition of media and use it to examine the theoretical and research literature on learning from books, television, computers, digital devices and multimedia conventions.

A young child sits in front of what some call the “dumb box,” is that particular child engaged in learning? Some will say he is simply staring at mere moving objects with no significant value. On the flip side, we strongly argue that this young mind is acquiring the fundamental skills that soon will be used in reading comprehension. As the child analysis's engaging playful characters on the screen, he/she is starting to implement basic reading strategies, such as, inferring, drawing conclusions, summarizing, predicting, making connections, and asking questions. The information embedded in story line of the child's favorite show is sometimes called "authentic situations," since it uses real world scenarios using a fictional plot. Through this powerful educational tool, this child is receiving appropriate conflict situations rather than those find elsewhere in the adult real world.

So what is the difference between a child who has the opportunity to see a situation on a television set rather than a teacher lecturing? The difference is that this young child is able to make a connection to his/her real world using the symbols on the screen. An important part of school learning is acquiring an understanding of the relationship between various symbol systems and the real world they represent. (Kozma, 1991)

In this debate we will be using the finds of the prominent instructional technology professor Dr. Robert B. Kozma whom argues strongly towards the use of media and its' influences of the learning process. Kozma states that “learning with media [is] a complementary process within which representations are constructed and procedures performed, sometimes by the learner and sometimes by the medium. The key question in this debate becomes Does media influence learning? The research that will be presented by my peers suggests that capabilities of a particular medium, in conjunction with methods that take advantage of these, interact with and influence the ways learners represent and process information, and may result in more or different learning when one medium is used compared to
another, for certain learners and tasks.

Kozma believes in the constructivist approach to learning, in this theoretical framework learning is viewed as an active, constructive process whereby the learner strategically manages the available cognitive resources (in this case various media) to create new knowledge by extracting information from the environment and integrating it with information already stored in memory.

Our debate will also use Howard Gardner's multiple intelligence theory as a supportive theory.
Gardner believed that intelligence, as it is traditionally defined, does not sufficiently encompass the wide variety of abilities humans display. The theory suggests that, rather than relying on a uniform curriculum, schools should offer individual-centered education, with curriculum tailored to the needs of each child. This includes working to help students develop the intelligences in which they are weaker.

We will also refer to Vygotsky’s idea of the “zone of proximal developmet” Vygotsky stated that a child follows an given example and gradually develops the ability to do certain tasks without help or assistance. Vygotsky's often-quoted definition of zone of proximal development presents it as the distance between the actual developmental level as determined by independent problem solving and the level of potential development as determined through problem solving under guidance, or in collaboration with more capable peers. This guidance can come from a number of sources such as a peer, and adult, or the broad spectrum of media.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Web Site Comparison

American Society for Training and Development (astd.org)

· Mission The mission of the American Society for Training and Development is that through exceptional learning and performance, they will create a world that works better.
· Cost of membership based on group size is 5-24 is $178.00 per individual and 25+ members is $164 per individual. For less than 5 members you pay $199 for 12 months. For 24 months is $358.00. Student price is $54.00 per year. Seniors pay $99.00 annually and for e-Membership the price is $169.00.
· Publications
Communicating the Value of Learning An excerpt from the ASTD Press publication, Presenting Learning, this article highlights the critical role that communication plays in learning’s strategic impact.
Mass Customizing the Training Industry surfaced more than a decade ago with the publication of several books and articles that extolled the virtues of treating all customers differently, and is now becoming endemic in industries as diverse as personal computers, shoes, apparel, eyewear, and information. It is not about market segmentation. It is about truly understanding the specific needs of each and every customer and then bringing together the right combination of training modules to provide the customers the solution that they really want and need.
2008 Infoline Publications Catalog Tips, tools and intelligence for trainings.
Training + Development This is ASTD’s flagship magazine, published monthly for over 60 years. Each month the magazine highlights the newest training and development trends and practices, brings you news that is relevant to your work, and steers you toward the future of training and development. Each issue is also available in an electronic format.

· Conferences and meetings
ASTD 2009 International Conference and Exposition. May 30 2009 - June 03 2009 - Washington,DC Held each spring, this premier event for workplace learning and performance professionals welcomes attendees from more than 70 countries. The conference features 200+ educational sessions from industry-leading experts, and a world-class EXPO filled with the latest products and services available from top suppliers.
ASTD International Conference & Exposition
ASTD TechKnowledge®
ASTD's Learn from the BEST
Developing Great Managers Conference
Telling Ain't Training Conference
Annual China Conference

· Opportunities for professional development and networking
Essentials of Adult Learning Workshop
Essentials of Blended Learning
Essentials of Business Acumen: What the CEO wants you to know
Essentials of Captivate Tips and Tricks
Essentials of Client Engagement and Contracting
Essentials of Coaching SMEs to Facilitate Learning
Essentials of Copyright Law for Workplace Learning
Essentials of Developing Program Objectives
Essentials of Efficiency in Learning
Essentials of E-learning Authoring Tools
Essentials of E-learning Strategy Development
Essentials of Game Design
Essentials of Going Green
Essentials of Learning Transfer
Essentials of Podcasts, Video, and Writing for the Web
Essentials of Scenario-Based e-Learning: Guided Discovery e-Learning
Essentials of Tale
· Employment services
The website offers an ASTD Job Bank where people can find jobs in the field.
· Other benefits to members
ASTD Members receive exclusive publications, research, networking opportunities, and discounts on ASTD products, publications, and events. Below is a summary of the member exclusive products and services that are available to you when you join.

Association for Educational Communications and Technology (aect.org)
· Mission
The mission of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology is to provide international leadership by promoting scholarship and best practices in the creation, use, and management of technologies for effective teaching and learning in a wide range of settings.

· Cost of membership
Corporate membership $400.00
New Regular Membership $99.00
New Regular Membership Including ETR&D $145.00
New Regular Membership International $99.00
New Regular Membership International with ETR&D $145.00
New Retired Membership $60.00
New Retired Membership International $60.00
New Student Membership $50.00
New Student Membership International $50.00

· Publications
Educational Technology Research and Development
TechTrends - Linking Research and Practice to Improve Learning
Instructional Science

Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning
Educational Technology: A Definition with Commentary
Distance Education: Definition and Glossary of Terms
Emerging Perspectives on Learning, Teaching and Technology
Quarterly Review of Distance Education
2008 Annual Proceedings - Orlando: Volume #1 and 2
2007 Annual Proceedings - Anaheim: Volume #1 and 2
2006 Annual Proceedings - Dallas: Volume #1 and 2
Handbook of Research for Educational Communications and Technology
Journal of Instructional Development

· Conferences and meetings
2009 AECT International Convention
'Integrative Approaches: Meeting Challenges'
The 2008 AECT "On the Horizon... Rays of Change" Convention.

· Opportunities for professional development and networking
The 2008 AECT "On the Horizon... Rays of Change" Convention.
ISMF - International Student Media Festival

· Employment services
Instructional Designer k12
Assistant Director
Center for Research on Learning and Teaching
Coordinator of Learning Technologies
Technology Sales Specialist
Education Technology Advisor
Dean of Academic and E-Learning Services
·

· Other benefits to members
Subscription to TechTrends
Discount for subscription to ETR&D
Discount for subscription to Quarterly Review of Distance Education Discount on AECT publications
Discount with Geico automobile insurance
Affinity Card (with credit approval)
Online Services
Membership Directory
Discount to Annual Conference
Summer Leadership Institute
Specialized Division membership
Access to Online Publications like:
Tech Trends
Educational Technology Research and Development
Handbook for Research in Educational Technology
Getting Started in Instructional Technology



Write a brief group report and post it your IDT Blog.
ASTD provides resources for learning and performance professionals—research, analysis, benchmarking, online information, books, and other publications. ASTD has widened the profession’s focus to link learning and performance to individual and organizational results, and is a sought-after voice on critical public policy issues.
The Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) is a major organization for teachers and those who are also interested in improving instruction through technology. AECT members are colleges and universities; in the Armed Forces and industry; in museums, libraries, and hospitals; in the many places where educational change is underway. The people who join this organization are those interested in the study, planning, application, and production of communications media for instruction.

"Hot" Topic

Web 2.0 Technologies in the classroom
• Web 2.0 – a.k.a “Berners-Lee’s concept of a Read/Write Web is a collaborative medium, a place where we could all meet and read and write.
• This is a technology that most students are using as a social communication tool, but can be transformed into a powerful teaching tool in the classroom.
• A blog – “is an easily created, easily updateable website that allows an author to publish instantly to the internet from any internet connection.”
• As used in this class, a blog can be used to communicate with parents and students about upcoming events, homework, or any general questions.
• A wiki – “is a website where anyone can edit anything anytime they want”
• Students can use this tool to work cooperatively with others.
• A webquest – “is a computer-based teaching and learning model in which learners are actively involved in an activity or situation and use the Internet as a resource.”
• Teachers can use this tool to post research assignments and provide students with the web sources necessary to complete the task successfully.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

TEST

TEST for blog entry.
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